FRESNO -- October 6, 2015 -- Fresno County’s largest farm advocacy organization sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) declaring its support for solar net metering.

Fresno County Farm Bureau’s letter is a response to actions by the state’s investor-owned utilities proposing to make California the first major solar state to abandon net metering, a cornerstone policy of every successful solar industry in across the country. The utility proposals would put future customers’ ability to go solar at risk. The CPUC will determine the fate of net metering in California by December 31, 2015.

“One vital component of solar that FCFB supports is net energy metering,” wrote Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. “The program has helped fuel the explosive growth of solar across the state, particularly on farms and ranches.

Fresno County Farm Bureau represents 3,500 members and the County produces more than 400 commercial crops annually, totaling over $7.03 billion in gross production value in 2014.

“Net metering works for Central Valley farms,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of CALSEIA. “It provides these farmers with the type of choice and flexibility that allows them to control costs and run a more sustainable business.”

Net energy metering is a program that compensates solar consumers for any excess electricity they export to the grid. The program has helped fuel the explosive growth of solar across the state. Before the end of this year, the CPUC will decide on the future of net energy metering, including among options proposed by the three investor owned utilities, PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E, all of which include fees and rates designed to make solar uneconomical.

About CALSEIA

Since the 1970s, CALSEIA has advanced the common interests of the California solar industry, helping make California's solar market the most robust in the United States. Comprised of California solar contractors, manufacturers, distributors, developers, utilities, engineers, consultants and educational organizations, CALSEIA represents a diverse membership committed to growing the California solar industry. CALSEIA engages with local and state decision makers to ensure California remains a solar energy leader through good public policy and regulations that provide clarity, transparency, and certainty for our growing market.

About Fresno County Farm Bureau

Fresno County Farm Bureau is the county's largest agricultural advocacy and educational organization, representing 3,500 members on water, labor, air quality, land use, and major agricultural related issues. Fresno County produces more than 400 commercial crops annually, totaling over $7.03 billion in gross production value in 2014. For Fresno County agricultural information, visit www.fcfb.org.